Urban Blog

Fair Oak Remains Clear – No Unauthorised Traveller Camp Reported

Residents of Fair Oak and Horton Heath can be reassured that, as of December 2025, there is no active unauthorised traveller encampment within the parish. Eastleigh Borough Council and Hampshire Constabulary continue to monitor the area closely, and no new reports of unauthorised camping have been received in recent weeks.

Current Situation in Fair Oak

The most recent checks carried out by Eastleigh Borough Council’s Community Safety Patrol and authorised officer teams confirm that all known open spaces, recreation grounds, car parks and roadside verges in Fair Oak remain clear of any unauthorised traveller groups or vehicles. Popular locations that have occasionally been used in previous years – including the open land near Mortimers Lane, the vicinity of Knowle Park, and the former Lapstone Playing Fields site – are all currently unoccupied and being used only for their intended public or recreational purposes.

Council Monitoring Update

Eastleigh Borough Council operates a proactive monitoring system across the entire borough, with particular attention given to parishes that have experienced unauthorised encampments in the past. Officers conduct regular drive-through patrols and respond immediately to any public reports. The council works in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary under the established Hampshire Joint Protocol for managing unauthorised encampments. This coordinated approach has proven effective in ensuring swift assessment and, where necessary, rapid resolution.

No Recent Encampment Reports

Between 1 October and 2 December 2025, the council received zero confirmed reports of traveller vehicles establishing an unauthorised camp anywhere in the Fair Oak & Horton Heath parish boundary. This continues a relatively quiet period that began in late summer 2025. While small, short-stopovers (under 48 hours) occasionally occur on private land with existing tolerated status elsewhere in the borough, none have taken place in Fair Oak during this timeframe.

Previous Incidents Resolved

The last recorded unauthorised encampment in Fair Oak occurred in June 2025, when a small group of seven caravans and associated vehicles entered a recreation ground off Shorts Road. Working under the joint protocol, welfare checks were completed within four hours of the first report, and a Direction to Leave notice was served the following morning. The group vacated the site peacefully within the required 24-hour period, leaving no damage or waste. The ground was inspected, cleaned and returned to public use the same week.

Earlier incidents in 2023 and 2024 at the same location and near Fair Oak Village Hall were resolved in a similarly efficient manner, demonstrating that the current procedures are both fair and effective.

How Residents Can Report Concerns

Members of the public remain the council’s most valuable early-warning system. If any resident notices vehicles or caravans setting up on public land without permission, residents are asked to report the matter immediately rather than approaching the group directly. Reports can be made 24/7 using the following channels:

• Eastleigh Borough Council online reporting form (available on the council website)
• Telephone: 023 8068 8000 (office hours) or 023 8028 5342 (out-of-hours emergency line)
• Direct to Hampshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101

Accurate details such as exact location, number of vehicles, and registration numbers greatly assist a rapid response.

Legal Powers & Response Process

When an unauthorised encampment is confirmed on council-owned land, trained officers carry out an immediate welfare assessment covering health, education, and safeguarding needs. Provided no serious welfare concerns are identified, the council is able to use powers under Section 77-78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to direct the group to leave. If the direction is not complied with, an application can be made to the Magistrates’ Court for an Order for Removal, which is then enforced by police if necessary.

On private land the process is slightly different, with the landowner being responsible for initiating civil eviction proceedings, though the council and police will offer advice and support.

Community Remains Vigilant

Fair Oak & Horton Heath Parish Council continues to work closely with residents’ associations and neighbourhood watch groups to maintain high levels of community awareness. Local councillors hold regular surgeries and encourage open dialogue so that any emerging concerns can be addressed quickly and transparently. The community’s responsible and calm approach to past situations has been widely praised by both the borough council and police.

Next Scheduled Council Check

The next formal joint patrol of known sensitive sites in Fair Oak is scheduled for the week commencing 8 December 2025, with additional checks planned in the run-up to the Christmas and New Year period when national patterns sometimes show a slight increase in movement. However, officers will continue daily informal monitoring and will respond immediately to any new public reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Fair Oak a “hotspot” for traveller encampments?

A: While the parish has seen occasional short-term unauthorised stops in previous years, it is not considered a persistent or high-frequency location compared to some other parts of Hampshire.

Q: What happens to the waste and rubbish after an encampment leaves?

A: The council’s street cleansing teams inspect every site after departure and remove any waste at no cost to residents. In the last five years, the overwhelming majority of groups have left sites clean.

Q: Can the council permanently stop encampments?

A: Permanent physical prevention measures (such as deep ditches or high bunds) are sometimes used on the most affected sites, but must be carefully balanced against public access and cost. Each site is assessed individually.

Q: Are there any authorised traveller pitches in or near Fair Oak?

A: There are no permanent or transit pitches within the parish itself. The nearest authorised sites are located in other parts of Eastleigh Borough and in neighbouring authorities.

Contact Eastleigh Borough Council

For the very latest information or to discuss any specific concerns, residents are welcome to contact:

• Eastleigh Borough Council Customer Services: 023 8068 8000
• Email: customerservicecentre@eastleigh.gov.uk
• Fair Oak & Horton Heath Parish Council: 023 8069 2403

The council and parish teams remain committed to keeping Fair Oak a safe, clean, and welcoming community for all residents and visitors throughout 2025 and beyond.